HELP!! Our bonsai keeps having yellow leaves and all of the leaves start falling off quickly. Does anyone know what is the problem? We put our bonsai in living room near the window. This is already the 2nd bonsai we had, the first one died having the same problem. Would really appreciate you guysā help! šš»
Iām not really well versed in bonsais and a lot of people on here are in the same boat, but Iāve seen here and there on the internet that most bonsais do better outside and they arenāt really indoor plants. Since they are a mini tree and require all the changes of season and stuff that a tree needs to thrive and survive. Iād look up some things in google or YouTube and see what you can find for a successful way to grow these
3 gillningarthank you for your help!!
1 gilla
Actually Bonsai isnāt a type of plant at allā¦it is the way a plant is grown. My uncle is a Bonsai artist and he has dozens of different types of bonsai trees, (elms, oaks, junipers, cedars, pines, ficus, etc). Judging by the photos Iām guessing your plant is a Ficus microcarpa (aka Chinese Banyan or Gensing Ficus). You could do a search Planta for that species and get some growing tips. A traditional Chinese Banyan is a large tree and a Bonsai is just making it miniature. Alyssa is probably correct in the need to exposure it to changing seasons but it definitely needs to have the actual plant variety known before you are able to figure out how best to care for it. If it is dropping leaves it may not be dying, just losing its foliage for winter.
5 gillningarāChanging seasonsā doesnāt always mean itās best outside though - depends on where you live, right?
1 gilla Absolutely! And in the case of a Chinese banyan it should do just fine year round inside. I just asked my uncle about them (he has several of these) and he said they like bright indirect light. So donāt put it in a window where the sun hits it directly. That can cause sun scorch and will drop its leaves. It also needs good drainage to prevent root rot. So donāt let it the inner pot sit in water.
3 gillningarthank you so much for your advice!! really appreciate it weāll try to switch it somewhere with indirect sunlight
1 gilla Keep us postedā¦and Good Luck!š
1 gillaThis looks like a ficus bonsai I once had. It died very suddenly on meā¦ it was my first experience ever with root rot and was I very emotional about it š¢ (Iāll add that I havenāt lost a plant to root rot since!) Anyway, I didnāt get to know mine long enough to provide much advice, but maybe try giving the trunk a very gentle squeeze to make sure itās still firm!
1 gillathank you for your advice! and yes I was so sad when our first one dead as well my first plant too š
1 gilla
It looks like your soil is hydrophobic. When you water the plant does it seem to run around the surface and then drain off quickly? I am noticing a āgap of deathā at the pot edge. Have you tried submerging the plant for a solid amount of time to see if it helps. Bonsai tend to have super compact roots (heavily root bound) and absolutely need some help with watering.
3 gillningarThanks so much for your advice! Weāll try to water it more than usual!!
1 gilla
Hi there. Iāve been playing with bonsai a couple years now, by no means am I an expert, but one thing I notice is your soil. I recently ordered Akadama, Pumice, and Lava Rock off amazon, as well as a couple grow lights that were 50% off, and what a difference! I have struggled with less than adequate drainage, and sunlight from being inside. My trees are thriving so far, itās worth a shot! Thereās hundreds of videos on YouTube. Good luck!
0 gillningar